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grahame
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« Reply #90 on: October 24, 2015, 05:01:09 » |
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Take on this from the Western Daily Press: 'A heartbeat from absolute catastrophe' - how our worst train crash ever didn't happen in Wiltshire |
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Coffee Shop Admin, Acting Chair of Melksham Rail User Group, Option 24/7 Melksham Rep
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tom m
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« Reply #91 on: November 24, 2015, 19:20:38 » |
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JayMac
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« Reply #92 on: November 24, 2015, 20:44:51 » |
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It beggars belief that, after Wootton Bassett, West Coast Railway staff would still be over-riding safety systems.
I'm appalled.
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"Build a man a fire and he'll be warm for the rest of the day. Set a man on fire and he'll be warm for the rest of his life."
- Sir Terry Pratchett.
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old original
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« Reply #93 on: November 24, 2015, 21:01:45 » |
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I think after a proper investigation, if, as it appears, that WCR have been caught doing the same again, the temporary prohibition should be made permanent.
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8 Billion people on a wet rock - of course we're not happy
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Chris from Nailsea
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« Reply #94 on: November 25, 2015, 00:24:15 » |
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Many thanks for posting that link, tom m.  Purely to assist those of our readers with portable devices, which may be less able to connect to such links, here is the text of that article: West Coast Railways steam prohibited on main line network
The Office of Rail and Road has prohibited West Coast Railways from operating steam trains on the main line rail network.
In a statement released today (November 24), the regulator said: ^The Office of Rail and Road (ORR» ) has temporarily prohibited West Coast Railway Company Ltd from operating steam trains on the main line rail network, to protect the safety of its staff, volunteers, passengers and members of the public. The enforcement action follows an initial investigation into an incident near Doncaster on October 2 2015, which found staff on-board locomotive 45231 had turned off its Train Protection and Warning System (TPWS▸ ) isolation equipment, designed to apply an emergency brake if the driver makes an error. ORR will not allow the company to run trains where there are not effective controls in place for key safety systems. The regulator is working with the company to make the required improvements before services resume.^
The prohibition applies from 2300 on November 24, and WCR must seek formal approval from ORR before moving any steam locomotives. The notice does not affect operation of the company^s diesel trains.
ORR continues to investigate the serious incident where a West Coast Railways^ steam-hauled train passed a signal at danger near Wootton Bassett Junction on March 7 2015.
RAIL has approached WCR for a statement.
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William Huskisson MP▸ was the first person to be killed by a train while crossing the tracks, in 1830. Many more have died in the same way since then. Don't take a chance: stop, look, listen.
"Level crossings are safe, unless they are used in an unsafe manner." Discuss.
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chrisr_75
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« Reply #95 on: November 25, 2015, 01:26:09 » |
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Quite frankly, this company and the employees responsible should never again be allowed near anything other than a model railway. Truly dreadful behaviour, assuming they've been caught doing similar things to the Wooton Bassett incident and makes complete mockery of the efforts that assorted TOC▸ 's, infrastructure companies, their employees and assorted regulatory bodies have made over the last decade or two in improving safety - perfect our rail system is not, but it certainly is pretty safe thanks to efforts made following the spate of crashes in the late '90's and early 2000's.
I hope the ORR» grow some balls and takes some decisive action before a very nasty incident occurs at the hands of this lot, as they clearly have no ability to learn from previous errors.
Also curious that it took nearly 2 months from the date of the incident for this to be released to press...?
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Chris from Nailsea
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« Reply #96 on: November 25, 2015, 01:43:46 » |
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Hmmm. From the Office of Rail and Road ( ORR» ) statement: The enforcement action follows an initial investigation into an incident near Doncaster on October 2 2015 ...
So, the ORR have apparently been investigating for some time, before imposing their latest 'enforcement action'. That suggests to me that they have found some things amiss in terms of the safety of steam train operations by West Coast Railways. However: we are in danger of speculating now, so it's probably best if I stop there, pending any further statements from the ORR.  |
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« Last Edit: November 25, 2015, 02:38:12 by Chris from Nailsea »
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William Huskisson MP▸ was the first person to be killed by a train while crossing the tracks, in 1830. Many more have died in the same way since then. Don't take a chance: stop, look, listen.
"Level crossings are safe, unless they are used in an unsafe manner." Discuss.
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Rob on the hill
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« Reply #97 on: November 25, 2015, 17:01:13 » |
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Related article from Railway Herald which suggests that locos with modified TPWS▸ isolation equipment can still be operated by WCR: http://railwayherald.com/uknews/orr-issues-prohibition-notice-on-wcr
The enforcement action, which the ORR» says is to protect the safety of its staff, volunteers, passengers and members of the public, follows an initial investigation into an incident near Doncaster on 2nd October 2015, which found staff on-board LMS▸ 'Black 5' No. 45231 had turned-off its Train Protection and Warning System (TPWS) isolation equipment, designed to apply an emergency brake if the driver makes an error.
An ORR spokesman said: ^ORR will not allow the company to run trains where there are not effective controls in place for key safety systems. The regulator is working with the company to make the required improvements before services resume.^
Railway Herald understands that the prohibition notice comes into force from 23:00 on 24th November and does not affect diesel operations, which can continue to operate.
Mayflower to operate to Minehead
Since the story broke, it is understood that WCR has been actively working with the Office of Rail and Road to resolve the issues, and it is now understood that the ORR has passed LNER» 'B1' No. 61306 Mayflower for operation on the main line, meaning that the trip on 26th November to Minehead should proceed as planned, steam-hauled. Railway Herald also understoods that WCR are seeking agreement with the ORR for a second locomotive to be passed as well.
The ORR says that any modifications to the TPWS isolation equipment would need to be rolled-out to the entire steam fleet that is operated by WCR before the prohibition notice could be lifted.
At present, the status of other tours over the coming days is unknown. At present, they would have to use Mayflower, be diesel-hauled or rescheduled.
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JayMac
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« Reply #98 on: November 26, 2015, 13:09:37 » |
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"Build a man a fire and he'll be warm for the rest of the day. Set a man on fire and he'll be warm for the rest of his life."
- Sir Terry Pratchett.
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Chris from Nailsea
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« Reply #99 on: November 26, 2015, 22:25:54 » |
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Strictly speaking, ORR» is now the Office of Rail and Road - but I agree with the (rather serious) safety message!    |
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William Huskisson MP▸ was the first person to be killed by a train while crossing the tracks, in 1830. Many more have died in the same way since then. Don't take a chance: stop, look, listen.
"Level crossings are safe, unless they are used in an unsafe manner." Discuss.
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chrisr_75
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« Reply #100 on: November 26, 2015, 23:59:38 » |
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BNM, I think you should forward that masterpiece of photoshopping on to the MD of WCR...! |
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stuving
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« Reply #101 on: November 27, 2015, 01:05:48 » |
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Related article from Railway Herald which suggests that locos with modified TPWS▸ isolation equipment can still be operated by WCR: http://railwayherald.com/uknews/orr-issues-prohibition-notice-on-wcrMayflower to operate to Minehead
Since the story broke, it is understood that WCR has been actively working with the Office of Rail and Road to resolve the issues, and it is now understood that the ORR» has passed LNER» 'B1' No. 61306 Mayflower for operation on the main line, meaning that the trip on 26th November to Minehead should proceed as planned, steam-hauled.
And Mayflower did go to Minehead, though perhaps not exactly as planned, losing 90 minutes at Reading. I don't know why, but for the first ten minutes (before I had to go) she was held by the signal, and the return journey was on time. There did seem to be quite a crowd of tabards on the footplate. |
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Chris from Nailsea
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« Reply #102 on: November 27, 2015, 01:22:46 » |
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There did seem to be quite a crowd of tabards on the footplate.
ORR» #1; ORR #2; RAIB▸ #1; ORR #3; DfT» #1; BTP▸ #1 ... |
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William Huskisson MP▸ was the first person to be killed by a train while crossing the tracks, in 1830. Many more have died in the same way since then. Don't take a chance: stop, look, listen.
"Level crossings are safe, unless they are used in an unsafe manner." Discuss.
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PhilWakely
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« Reply #103 on: November 27, 2015, 09:35:07 » |
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And Mayflower did go to Minehead, though perhaps not exactly as planned, losing 90 minutes at Reading. I don't know why, but for the first ten minutes (before I had to go) she was held by the signal, and the return journey was on time. There did seem to be quite a crowd of tabards on the footplate.
Rather ironically, the reason for the delay is that somebody forgot to release the brake in one of the coaches, causing the brake to drag and burn out. I understand the coach was detached at Reading and a diesel loco was summoned from Southall to fetch it. |
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JayMac
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« Reply #104 on: November 27, 2015, 19:38:15 » |
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BNM, I think you should forward that masterpiece of photoshopping on to the MD of WCR...! I did think twice about posting something as light hearted as this - these are serious incidents after all. The picture isn't my work though. It's been doing the rounds on social media. |
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"Build a man a fire and he'll be warm for the rest of the day. Set a man on fire and he'll be warm for the rest of his life."
- Sir Terry Pratchett.
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